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If you want to take in the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean, you might be thinking about taking a trip to the Outer Banks. North Carolina is filled with beautiful beaches, but the barrier islands of the Outer Banks are likely at the top of the list. At the same time, the Outer Banks is a large area with a lot of separate beaches.
What are some of the best beaches in the OBX area you need to explore? Take a look at the list below, and start planning your beach vacation.
1. Cape Point Beach
Cape Point Beach is one of the top locations in the Outer Banks for history, sunbathing, surfing, and more. It has its name because the beach itself is shaped like a triangle. It is a part of the greater Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and there is always something fun to do. Because of the way the beach is shaped, there are big waves on one side and relatively calm waters on the other.
Depending on the recent weather, it is also not unusual for a sand spit to form offshore. Then, there is a lagoon that creates warm water, which is ideal for wading. Because of the unique weather conditions, it is one of the most popular attractions for people looking to go swimming.
You should also check out the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It is one of the most famous lighthouses in the world, and it was built in 1870. The black and white swirl is iconic, and you can enjoy a beautiful view if you go all the way to the top.
You may also want to swing by the museum to learn more about why the lighthouse and the Outer Banks have had their fair share of shipwrecks over the years. It is easy to see why this is one of the top beaches in the Outer Banks.
2. Kitty Hawk Beach
Kitty Hawk is known as the birth of flight. It is where the Wright brothers took the very first airplane flight. In addition to the amazing history, it is one of the best beaches available. If you are approaching the Outer Banks from the northern regions, Kitty Hawk will be the very first Vici fine. As soon as you come across the Currituck Sound, you will see it.
You can access the sand using any one of the 12 boardwalks available. You simply have to climb up over the sand dunes to get there. Every access point has a parking lot available, but they fill up quickly. Therefore, if you plan on driving to Kitty Hawk Beach, you must get a spot as early as possible.
Once you get to the sand, there is plenty of room available. You will find people throwing footballs, kicking soccer balls, and throwing a frisbee. You will also see surfers trying to tackle the waves.
If you go into town from the beach, you can access restaurants, many golf courses, and plenty of grocery stores. If you happen to have forgotten something, there’s a good chance you can find it at one of these stores.
3. Duck Beach
Another beautiful beach you may want to check out is in Duck, NC. Given the name, you should expect to see many ducks during your visit. This is one of the top places for people who love to go hunting, but even if you don’t want to go hunting, there is always something fun to do.
You can relax on the beach, check out some of the delicious restaurants in town, or try your hand at fishing. There are lots of fishing competitions that take place throughout the year, so you may want to consider signing up for one of them!
Getting to Duck is relatively easy, but if you want to go out to the beach, you will need to do so either on foot or via bicycle. There are plenty of beach access locations, but there is no public parking available. In addition, parking is not allowed on state roads. Therefore, you should probably plan on biking to access the beach.
4. Nags Head Beach
Nags Head has been a popular beach since the middle of the 19th century, and that hasn’t changed. There are some people who believe that the name of this beach originates from pirates who used to hide here, and there is still a lot of interest in this area.
Finding this beach is very easy. It is the very first one you see after you drive across the Roanoke Sound. Highway 12 can get congested sometimes, so if you are looking for an easy beach to find, this could be it.
There are lots of beach access points available. The beach itself is more than 12 miles long, and there are dozens of access points. Furthermore, this is a great location for families with children because there are always lifeguards on duty.
In addition to the waves, the sand, and the surfing opportunities, you should check out Jennette’s Pier. This is a unique structure that gives you a gorgeous view both up and down the coast. It is also one of the best fishing locations in the Outer Banks. If you want to visit an aquarium, there is one close to Nags Head Beach.
5. Rodanthe Beach
Another beat you may want to check out is called Rodanthe. It was featured in a movie called Nights in Rodanthe, and it grew in popularity shortly after the movie. Despite that, it is still a relatively quiet beach. There are no interruptions on the sand, this is a great spot to do some sunbathing, and you can even try surfing. Even though it isn’t as lively as the other beaches on the Outer Banks, it is still a lot of fun to enjoy. In addition, it is one of the best locations to go to if you want to try your hand at an RV.
Getting to Rodanthe is very easy. Even though you can access the beach by car, you can also take the ferry from Hatteras Island. Once you are in Rodanthe, you will probably find that it is easier to get around by walking or biking instead of driving.
6. Ocracoke Island
There are a lot of people who want to check out Ocracoke Island, and it is frequently referred to as the “pearl” of the Outer Banks. The name fits because it is both a beautiful beach and challenging to get here. If you want to access Ocracoke Island, you can drive down the length of the Outer Banks until you reach Hatteras. Then, you can take the ferry to get here. Or, if you come from Morehead City, drive to Cedar Island to access Ocracoke Island.
Ocracoke Island is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. It is 16 miles long and it doesn’t have very many buildings. This is the ideal place to surf, swim, run, and walk. It is also one of the best locations for those who want to collect seashells.
Once you are on the island, getting around is very easy. A lot of people use bicycles, but you can also rent a golf cart if you want to get around easily. If you want to drive your car on the island, you need to get a permit to do so.
7. Waves Beach
This is a town that has a very fitting name. It is just south of Rodanthe. If you can get to Rodanthe, you can get to Waves. The beaches stretch on for miles without any interruptions, and there are a lot of people who come and stay for the entire summer. There are several fun activities for kids, there are lots of amazing restaurants, and there is plenty of space to spread out.
If you are looking for a traditional beach, you will probably want to stay on the side that faces the Atlantic Ocean. If you are looking for something a bit different, you should check out the Pamlico Sound side. This is one of the top places in the world to go kiteboarding, so there is a good chance that you will see lots of people trying their luck.
If you want to give it a try, you should swing by one of the nearby surf shops to check out the kiteboards available. This is a great spot to try something new.
8. Avon Beach
Avon is a bit smaller than the other areas. Therefore, it tends to go unnoticed. If you are looking for a quiet opportunity for you to relax with your family members and friends, this is the place to go. There are also plenty of vacation rentals in town with an oceanfront view.
Even though the beach itself is smaller than the other ones, the beach access is very easy. Lots of people tend to hang out near the Avon Pier, walking to the beach from here. There is a very large parking lot available at the pier, so this is where you can park your car. Then, all you need to do is walk along the pier to see the access points available.
There’s also a lot to do in town. The largest grocery store in the area is located in Avon, and there are several delicious restaurants available. If you have forgotten something, you may want to check out the surf shops in town. There is a good chance you can find what you need.
9. Corolla Beach
You may also want to check out the beach in the small town of Corolla. This is located on the northern edge of the Outer Banks. You have multiple options for getting to this beach. You can either take a boat to get to the island or you can drive up the local highway. You can access the beach using either US Highway 64 or US Highway 158.
Once you get to Corolla, you will realize that it is a fun place to sit back and relax. There are plenty of opportunities to go sunbathing, and you can go for a swim in the water. This is also a great location if you want to try fishing. There are plenty of opportunities for you to catch your dinner, and there are fishing competitions that take place from time to time.
10. Kill Devil Hills
If you are looking for a beat that has a lot of amenities, then you may want to check out Kill Devil Hills. This is one of the most popular beaches in the Outer Banks, and getting there is very easy. There are lots of public beach access points, and you do not have to worry about taking a ferry to get here. You simply need to hop in the car, locate one of the numerous parking lots, and take a stroll down the boardwalk to get to the beach.
Once you are on the beach, you have access to plenty of showers, public restrooms, and lots of ice cream stands. The sand is soft, the ocean is warm, and the beaches are wide. Therefore, you have plenty of opportunities to spread out and enjoy your vacation. Consider taking a closer look at Kill Devil Hills during your trip to the Outer Banks!
Start Planning Your Trip to the Outer Banks Beaches
In the end, there are a lot of southern and northern beaches available if you are planning a trip to the Outer Banks. There is something for everyone, so take a look at the different beaches above, and figure out which one you want to explore.
Regardless of whether you are coming from the east coast of Virginia or North Carolina, you can access these islands easily. You can enjoy water sports, wild horses, kayaking, or shelling, each beach town has something to offer.
Lots of beachgoers love to go shelling on the Southern Shores, but you can also kick back in your beach chairs and relax. Consider taking a look at a few beachfront or oceanside vacation homes during your getaway.
